- "Defensionem protocol activated... Security doors engaged... Fluid volume transfer in progress... Annihilation in T-minus nine minutes and counting. Excessive structural deformation in progress."
- —The PA system announcing the activation of defensionem.
Defensionem, also known as the Defensionem Protocol, was an emergency protocol of Continental Hotel chains, along with the Inimicus protocol. During the protocol, the hotel is placed on full lockdown, and security doors will lock in anybody inside the hotel. After the security doors close, various explosives planted underneath the Continental Hotel will activate via a liquid transfer, and a countdown will begin.
- ""Mr. O'Connor, your escape pod has arrived. For your own safety, we ask that you please keep hands and feet away from the track at all times."
- —The escape pod PA system alert, intended to address Cormac.
Following activation, an escape pod will also arrive in a derelict train tunnel, allowing the manager to escape the blast radius.
- "Defensionem protocol deactivated. Goodbye."
- —The PA system announcing the deactivation of the defensionem protocol.
This protocol is only to be activated under highly specific circumstances, and requires two hands to be biometrically scanned in order to activate: the hotel manager, and the camera operator. Likewise, the protocol can be deactivated, should the manager and camera operator scan their hands again. The defensionem protocol can also be remotely deactivated by an Adjudicator, or similar High Table representatives.
The Continental: From the World of John Wick[]
Following Charon's betrayal, Cormac escapes to the operations room of the Continental hotel. As Winston's team advances through the Continental, killing guests, Cormac suggests activating defesionem, but is rebuked by Orson, who states that the current situation doesn't meet the requirements to activate the defesionem protocol.
After Gretel's death, Cormac grows increasingly on edge. Upon Orson's provocation, Cormac kills Orson by repeatedly slamming his head against a desk. The Adjudicator then calls Orson, unbeknownst to his death. Cormac implies that he killed Orson, prompting the Adjudicator to ominously state that she "always liked Orson".
Cormac activates the defensionem protocol.
Cormac drags Orson's body to the activation panel and places Orson's hand on the biometric scanner. Cormac then scans his own hand, before proclaiming that "we're all going to hell anyway", activating the defesionem protocol. Security doors close, and the bomb's liquid transfer begins.
Winston confronts Cormac before he can escape via the escape pod, however, Cormac is killed by KD.
Cormac's severed hand.
The defensionem protocol is deactivated when Winston scans Cormac's severed hand on the biometric scanner.
Despite this, the Adjudicator states that it was in fact, her, who remotely deactivated the defensionem protocol. Whether this is true or not remains unknown.
John Wick[]
Prior to the events of John Wick, the defensionem protocol was likely entirely phased out, like the Inimicus protocol, due to safety concerns and technological advancements.
Known Activations[]
| Episode | Activated By | Status |
|---|---|---|
| The Continental: From the World of John Wick
S01E03 |
Cormac O'Connor | Unsuccessful/deactivated |
Trivia[]
- Defensionem is Latin for defense.
Gallery[]
